Following the Footsteps of Millennia on the Mount of Olives

The Mount of Olives rises softly to the east of Jerusalem's Old City and is more than just a ridge of hills. It has been a quiet witness to millennia of history, influencing the collective memory of nations, civilisations, and tourists alike. Its gentle slopes, clothed in old olive trees, provide a panorama that has enthralled pilgrims, historians, and adventurers for generations, serving as an eternal link between the past and present.

Long before it became associated with Christian traditions, the Mount of Olives was significant to Jewish communities. In ancient times, it served as the site of important religious events and was treasured as a sacred region where the divine and the earthly appeared to intersect. Over the years, its name and picture have woven themselves into numerous stories, each giving a new depth of meaning to this sacred hill.

The Christian connection to the Mount grew significantly during the life of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Gospels, this is where He frequently sought refuge, instructed His disciples, and cried over Jerusalem. However, it is the narrative of the Ascension that solidifies its place in Christian mythology. Following His resurrection, Jesus is claimed to have escorted His followers to the Mount, where He blessed them before ascending to heaven. This moment of departure left an unforgettable imprint, spawning numerous portrayals in art, devotion, and literature throughout history.

Today, travellers follow trails that have been used for thousands of years. The terrain is littered with narrative-related sites: the Church of the Ascension, with its ancient walls, stands atop the hill where the Ascension is said to have occurred. Nearby, the Chapel of the Ascension houses a stone that many believe bears Christ's final footprint. The sense of continuity and connection is apparent, regardless of one's belief system.

One of the most captivating destinations is the Church of All Nations, located at the foot of the Mount in the Garden of Gethsemane. Ancient olive trees, some said to be two millennia old, cast lengthy shadows on the stone walkways. The garden offers a tranquil sanctuary, offering calm reflection beneath gnarled limbs that have witnessed centuries of history.

The Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene dominates the skyline, its golden onion domes sparkling against Jerusalem's deep blue sky. Its magnificent facade and rich history entice not only the faithful, but also architecture and photography enthusiasts. Ascending further, one finds the Dominus Flevit Church, which is shaped like a teardrop to commemorate the moment Jesus wept over Jerusalem. The panoramic view from its courtyard is stunning, providing one of the best views of the old walls of the Old City.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the Mount of Olives provides an unmatched view of Jerusalem. The panoramic vista from its peak extends across the Old City, with the golden Dome of the Rock glinting in the sunlight and the labyrinthine passageways unfolding beneath. At dawn and sunset, the light changes the picture into a stunning vista, providing a time of calm reflection away from the bustle of modern life.

The experience is not purely visual. Wandering down its roads, visitors pass by ancient Jewish cemeteries, some of the world's oldest and most renowned, where generations have chosen to be buried, believing it to be the site of ultimate resurrection. Monasteries and cathedrals, gardens and forests all pay their own modest tribute to the Mount's rich past.

For those who appreciate history, culture, and the eternal art of travel, the Mount of Olives is more than just a tourist destination. It invites people who want to feel the weight of millennia underfoot, to stand where countless others have stood in hope, sorrow, and amazement. More than a religious symbol, it is a landscape of human longing and memory, with stories rising on the wind and the stones themselves appearing to whisper of all that has passed and all that is still to come.